COMPARISON OF PRACTICES RELATED TO MID-MORNING SNACKS AMONG SCHOOL GIRLS OF DIFFERENT SOCIOECONOMIC STATUS

Abstract

Background: Adolescence is the second most critical period of physical growth and development; therefore, it is very important to fulfill their dietary needs in this period. Objective: To compare practices related to mid-morning snacks and observation of students for taking healthy foods as mid-morning snacks. Methodology: This is the survey based or conclusive research that was conducted on teenage girls of Beacon house School System Lahore and Govt. Model Girls High School Lahore. The sample size was calculated from the online calculator Raosoft (Raosoft 2020). The study sample size was 60. They were divided into two groups with 30 in each group; one of high and the second of low socio-economic status. This research was conducted with the ethical permission of Department of Food and Nutrition; College of Home Economics and this data were collected with the consent of School’s authorities and students. Data collection tools were Anthropometrics, Interview schedule and Dietary record. Results: Mean age was 13.6±15.9. Results of taking mid-morning snacks in students was recorded 9.084±0.05. Awareness about nutritive mid-morning snacks was 2.639±0.05. Fruits preferences were 6.358±0.05. Food frequency of high carbohydrate food was 10.24±0.221. High fat food frequency was recorded as 13.9±0.229. Result of food frequency of beverages was 7.59±0.219. Frequency of mid-morning meals was 6.7±0.309. Conclusion: Results revealed that the snacking practices of both schools were unhealthy and intake of unhealthy snacks was more prevalent as compared to healthy snacks.